What are the legal and moral evaluations of the persons beheaded in Saudi.

[NASSIR]

These men were beheaded in public for an allegations of abduction and robbery. Why have they killed these people in such a barbaric execution. The alleged crimes they have committed should have been, given the fact the Islamic court reasonably believes that there is sufficient evidence, amputation of the right hand.

 

-----------------------------------------

Saudi Arabia executes six Somalis for abductions

 

Mon April 4, 2005 12:28 PM GMT+02:00

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia executed on Monday a gang of six Somali men convicted of abducting and robbing taxi drivers in the Red Sea port of Jeddah.

 

The six men had lured taxi drivers to a remote spot where they hit them and threatened them with knives before robbing them and taking their cars, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

 

The punishment appeared severe even by the strict code of Islamic sharia law practiced in conservative Saudi Arabia, which calls for the amputation of the right hand for theft.

 

Execution is usually reserved for murderers, drug traffickers and rapists. The ministry statement said the men were put to death for "sowing corruption in the land and damaging security".

 

Jeddah residents say growing numbers of illegal African immigrants, who are either smuggled across the Red Sea or overstay after coming for the Muslim Haj pilgrimage, have triggered a sharp increase in crime in the city.

 

Monday's executions, which are usually carried out in public by beheading, brought to at least 36 the number of people executed in Saudi Arabia so far this year -- already one more than the number of recorded executions last year.

[Sakina]

May Allah help us muslims from people who play with our shariah law. This is a sad day for all muslims when the teachings of our beloved Prophet (saw) are misused in this way. If the Sahabas where alive they would have stopped this nonsense going on in Saudi Arabia. These 6 men if they committed these crimes then I believe they got more than the punishment Allah ordained. The judge that ordered these murders he might think that he is above the law but he is forgetting that we will all face the Creator sooner or later and I would like to know what his answer will be when asked about these crimes he has committed. Who is worse a thief or a murderer. That is how I see; these 6 men were thieves but the judge is a murderer. May Allah punish him with the right punishment.

[NASSIR]

Sakina, i agree with your points. The way the judge/jurors adjucated their case is beyond disbelief. It only enforces how this country conduct their arbitrary killings, which amounts to the tyrannous disregard of human rights on the people. Sharia, which is the fundamental principle of Islamic law along with the Fiqh (Jurisprudence} was extremely violated to the detriment of getting rid off these defendents.

[Shirwac]

PURE RACISM. Arabs sold Africans to the whites and are now beheading Africans for minor crimes.

[OG_Girl]

Talk about darma queen now :rolleyes:

 

Salam

[Paragon]

Saudis behead 6 Somalis

04/04/2005 15:23 - (SA)

 

Source:

News24

Riyadh - Six Somalis were beheaded the Mecca region on Monday after being convicted of a spate of armed robberies against taxi drivers, the Saudi interior ministry said.

 

The six were convicted of "forming a gang which dragged taxi drivers to remote places, beat them up, threatened them with a knife and stole their money... as well as stealing a number of taxis", the ministry said in a statement carried by the official SPA news agency.

 

It named the six as Abdullah bin Adam Abdullah, Abdul Fattah bin Ali Hassan, Hussein bin Harun Mahmud, Ali bin Sheikh Yussef, Abdul Nur bin Mohammad Wahili and Abdullah bin Hassan Abdi.

 

The latest executions bring to 36 the number of beheadings announced by Saudi authorities so far this year, more than the number of executions for the whole of 2004.

 

Thirty-five people were beheaded in the kingdom in 2004, according to an AFP tally based on official statements.

 

Executions are generally carried out in public in Saudi Arabia, which applies a strict form of Islamic law.

The death penalty is meted out for murder, rape, apostasy, armed robbery and drug trafficking.

So in this case, the six Somalis committed armed robbery. This is the law, atleast in Saudi Arabia. I have no case against armed robbers being beheaded. If the Sharicah instructs a beheading to be carried out upon armed robbers, I am content with that instruction.

[Viking]

Why are people all wound up? Did you guys think that the Saudi govt was an Islamic govt? It is (and always has been) a corrupt monarchy.

[NGONGE]

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

 

Public Statement

 

AI Index: MDE 23/019/2004 (Public)

News Service No: 329

23 December 2004

 

 

Saudi Arabia: Disturbing increase in executions

Amnesty International (AI) is gravely concerned at the recent increase in executions in Saudi Arabia. Eight people have reportedly been executed in less than one week bringing the total number of executions documented by AI to at least 31 this year. The eight include four Pakistanis, three Iraqis and one Saudi Arabian.

 

The executions of last week account for almost one quarter of all the executions recorded by AI this year. AI is concerned that others could be executed in the coming days or weeks.

 

While AI does not know how many people face the death penalty or who are sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, the organization fears that there are many people currently detained who may be at risk of imminent execution. This includes three women, Majda Mostafa Mahir, Sit Zainab Binti Duhri Rupa and Sarah Jane Dematera, sentenced to death in connection with murder, after grossly unfair trials in which their basic rights were denied. Our organization has continuously appealed to King Fahd of Saudi Arabia to commute their sentences, including most recently last month.

 

Trials in Saudi Arabia are often grossly in violation of international standards for fair trials. They often take place behind closed doors. Most defendants are not given the right to a lawyer and the right to an effective appeal. They may also have been convicted solely on the basis of confessions obtained under duress, torture or deception. Foreign workers are particularly vulnerable as many do not speak Arabic and may be forced to sign a confession in a language they cannot understand. They also do not have access to their family and in many instances, consular assistance.

 

AI recognizes the right and responsibility of all governments to bring to justice those guilty of recognizably criminal offences. However, our organization fundamentally opposes the death penalty as the ultimate violation of the right to life. Trials for that purpose must meet internationally recognised standards of fair trials. The organization is committed to defending all people against the violations of these fundamental and internationally recognized rights.

 

AI urges King Fahd of Saudi Arabia to commute all outstanding death sentences and to bring trial proceedings of people facing such punishments in line with international standards.

 

Background

Almost half of those executed so far this year have been foreign nationals. They are seven Pakistanis, one Sudanese, one Yemeni, four Iraqis, 17 Saudi Arabians and one Sri Lankan woman.

[NGONGE]

Saudi Arabia: Further Update on fear of Execution/Possible Prisoners of Conscience

PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 23/012/2002

 

4 December 2002

 

Further information on EXTRA 06/02 (MDE 23/001/2002, 17 January 2002) Fear of

execution/Possible prisoners of conscience

 

SAUDI ARABIA Duhayman Muhammad al-Hatila (m), aged 34

Mish’il al-Hussain Barman bel-Harith (m), aged 22

and at least 15 others (names unknown)

 

Amnesty International welcomes the decision by King Fahd, announced by the

Minister of the Interior on 4 December, to commute the death sentences against

17 men from the Ismaili community in Saudi Arabia to ten years' imprisonment.

The men, who are held in al-Hair prison in Riyadh, may be prisoners of

conscience, held solely for the non-violent expression of their conscientiously

held beliefs.

The Minister did not refer to any of the prisoners by name, but Amnesty

International believes that they include Duhayman Muhammad al-Hatila and Mish’

il al-Hussain Barman bel-Harith. The Minister announced that 70 others arrested

with the 17 men are also serving prison sentences. Amnesty International is

concerned that they too may be prisoners of conscience.

All the prisoners were arrested in April 2000 following protests by members of

the Ismaili religious community in Najran, south-west Saudi Arabia. The

protests took place following the closure of their mosque by Saudi Arabian

security forces and the arrest of Hussein Ismail al-Makrami on suspicion of

practising "sorcery".

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Saudi Arabia applies the death penalty for a wide range of offences which, in

addition to violent crimes, includes others such as sorcery, certain sexual

offences, drug-related offences and apostasy (converting from Islam to another

religion). Trials invariably fall short of internationally agreed standards for

fairness, as they are held in secret and defendants do not have the right to

formal representation by a lawyer. In many cases defendants and their families

are not informed of the progress of legal proceedings against them. Defendants

may also be convicted solely on the basis of confessions obtained under duress,

torture or deception.

 

Many thanks to all who sent appeals. Amnesty International will continue to

monitor this case, and will use longer-term campaigning methods on behalf of

the prisoners. If possible, please send a final round of appeals, to arrive as

quickly as possible, in English or your own language:

- welcoming King Fahd’s decision to commute the death sentences of the 17 men

but seeking clarification of the charges against them, together with details of

their trial proceedings;

- seeking assurances that the men are being treated humanely and have access to

relatives and medical care as necessary;

- urging that anyone held solely for the non-violent expression of their

conscientiously held beliefs is released immediately and unconditionally.

 

APPEALS TO:

King and Prime Minister, The Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines

His Majesty King Fahd bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Al-Saud

Office of H.M. The King, Royal Court, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Telegrams: King Fahd, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Salutation: Your Majesty.

 

Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard

His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Al-Saud

Royal Court, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Telegrams: H.R.H Prince Abdullah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Salutation: Your Royal Highness

 

Minister of the Interior

His Royal Highness Prince Naif bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz

Minister of the Interior, Ministry of the Interior

P.O. Box 2933, Airport Road, Riyadh 11134, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Fax: + 966 1 403 1185

Telegram: Minister of Interior, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Salutation: Your Royal Highness

 

Minister of Justice

His Excellency Dr. ‘Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh

Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice, University Street, Riyadh 11137,

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Fax: + 966 1 401 1741

Telegram: Minister of Justice, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Salutation: Your Excellency

 

COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Saudi Arabia accredited to your

country.

 

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.

You've got the addresses now. Stop wailing and send an e-mail.

[NGONGE]

One more:

 

The death penalty

 

Two people will probably be executed in Saudi Arabia the week you read this document, if the rate of recorded executions in 1999 continues. Most of those who are executed are beheaded in public.

 

Saudi Arabia has one of the highest rates of executions in the world in both absolute numbers and per capita. The death penalty applies to a wide range of non-violent activities such as apostasy and "witchcraft", "sexual offences", acts deemed to amount to "corruption on earth", and crimes such as drug dealing.

 

More than 1,100 people have been executed in the past 20 years, according to reports received by Amnesty International, although the true total is probably far higher. It is almost certain that all were sentenced to death after secret and summary hearings and with no meaningful appeal.

 

Often, the first warning prisoners have of their imminent execution is when they are taken out of their cell in handcuffs on a Friday, the day executions are normally carried out. They are taken to a public square, blindfolded and forced to kneel. The executioner raises a sword, then brings the blade down across the prisoner's neck. Sometimes more than one stroke is needed to sever the head. A doctor certifies that the prisoner is dead, then the body and head are removed and buried.

 

Amnesty International does not know whether condemned prisoners are given tranquillizers. It does not know whether they are allowed to see a representative of their religious faith, or whether an appropriate religious ceremony is conducted before, during or after death. What it does know is that foreign nationals are rarely if ever allowed to see their loved ones before they are executed and are never given advance warning of their execution.

 

For those awaiting execution, the psychological torment is extreme. Sa'ad al-Din 'Izz al-Din Muhammad, a Sudanese national, was executed in 1996 for a murder he denied having committed. A cellmate described his anguish:

 

"He is in a frenzy every Thursday afternoon, Friday morning in anticipation of execution... All his family have been told that he is already executed. But he is still inside."

 

A woman currently awaiting execution wrote to a former cellmate:

 

"I cannot stop asking you to help me because here they do not give us the date of execution. Early in the morning they come and take you to a big square and cut your head off. Afterwards they inform your family and your embassy. This is why I am scared."

 

Bucking world trends

Contrary to UN calls for progressive reduction in the number of capital crimes, Saudi Arabia has continued to expand the scope of the death penalty.

 

International human rights standards encourage abolition of the death penalty and set stringent criteria for its imposition and use, restricting the offences punishable by death to the most serious crimes. In Saudi Arabia, people are being executed for "crimes" such as "black magic", possession of "soft" drugs and "sexual offences" after blatantly unfair trials. [quotations] 'Madam... I ask you in the name of God and humanity... to help me because I have no one who could help me here in Saudi Arabia. My poor family has done everything they could but I believe they have lost hope... In this prison...we cannot have contact with the outside world, we cannot defend ourselves...' A letter sent in 1999 to a former cellmate from a woman currently held on murder charges and possibly under a sentence of death. 'I use a sword to kill male criminals... and firearms, specifically pistols, to kill female criminals. I think firearms are used to spare the woman, as to be executed by sword would mean uncovering her head and exposing her neck and some of her back.' Sa'id bin Abdullah bin Mabrouk al-Bishi, a Saudi Arabian executioner [end quotations]

 

[NGONGE]

And now, to the real story behind it all.

 

Saudi executes three terrorists for killing officials, murderer for stabbing compatriot

08:34 AM EDT Apr 05

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Saudi authorities executed three Saudi militants who assassinated several officials two years ago, Saudi authorities said as this Gulf state continued its campaign to stamp out terrorism.

 

Hisham bin Awwad, Mohammed bin Awadh and Amjad bin Abdul Aziz were beheaded in public Friday in the northern Saudi city of al-Jawf where they carried out their crimes, the Interior Ministry said.

 

After the executions, authorities displayed the executed militants in a public square outside a mosque, tying their bodies to poles on top of which were placed their heads.

 

Militants have carried out multiple suicide bombings and kidnappings and fought gun battles with security forces since May 2003. The attacks have been blamed on al-Qaida, the terrorist group headed by Saudi-born terrorist Osama bin Laden, and allied militants.

 

The three militants were convicted in the 2003 al-Jawf killings of deputy governor Hamad al-Wardi, religious court judge Abdulrahman al-Suhaybani and police Lt. Col. Hmoud bin Ali, in charge of a provincial police station.

 

The Interior Ministry said the militants first met in Afghanistan and returned to al-Jawf to form a "criminal gang that carried out kidnappings, looting and assassinations."

 

"They have exchanged criminal roles, and secured weapons and tools to carry out their desire of rampaging and killing the innocent under the guise of religion," the statement added.

 

Their execution marks the first time Saudi authorities have announced penalties against terrorists apprehended here in almost ten years. The Saudi monarch had announced an amnesty last year promising that repenting militants will not be handed the death penalty.

 

In May 1996, Saudi authorities beheaded four Saudis who confessed to bombing a U.S.-run military training facility a year earlier, killing five Americans and two Indians.

 

A Saudi accomplice to the terrorists beheaded Friday, Sultan bin Abdul Rahman, was sentenced to five years in prison for helping hide the men and sympathizing with their ideas.

 

Separately, a fourth Saudi was also beheaded Friday in the northern Saudi city of Tabuk for stabbing a compatriot to death.

 

Friday's executions bring the number of people beheaded in Saudi Arabia this year to 33. Saudi authorities executed 35 people in 2004, down from 52 people the year before. Most were convicted of drug smuggling.

 

Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam under which people convicted of drug trafficking, murder, rape and armed robbery can be executed. Beheadings are carried out with a sword in a public square.

 

I put this source here because all the rest were from Amnesty Int.(you know how to find that one)

[Suldaanka]

The Death Penalty and Executions: Migrant Worker Victims - A Philipino perspective

[Sakina]

Talk about darma queen now

"And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces (dissension) among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy" (Qur'an 17:53)

 

"And do not turn your cheek (in contempt) toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful" "And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreable of sounds is the voice of donkeys." (Qur'an 31:18-19)

[wind.talker]

The people who ought to get beheaded for murder, rape, armed robbery and drug trafficking are none other than the ones handing down the punishment (the Royal family). I didn't expect anything good from these goons oo ka marya wayn dumarkooda. We're only in the 4th month of 2005 but the Saudi gov't has already executed more people than they did in the entire year of 2004! And now, they're engaged in a battle to fight "extremists!" Who's the extremist here?

 

And my comments shouldn't be taken as if I'm supporting the men who got executed. I'm just against Arab gov'ts, their hypocritical behavior and their double standards!

[Haddad]

Originally posted by wind.talker:

I didn't expect anything good from these goons

I know you and others like you have/had higher expectations from Saudis. You believed or thought they were infallible, but you have discovered they are just like others; they have the bads and goods. You have to understand no one teaches or implies Saudis are infallible; it's you on your own (perhaps out of misinformed or wild imaginations) who has developed that weird notion. Furthermore, it's the duty of every Muslim to uphold the teachings of Islam, including you, not only Saudis.

 

And now, they're engaged in a battle to fight "extremists!" Who's the extremist here?

You got a mixup. The beheadings got nothing to do with "extremists." The "extremists" you're talking about are those who want to overthrow the Saudi government and empower Muslims and Islamic issues. The "extremists" want to severe ties with the West, employ Somalis and treat them like brothers/sisters, and give first priority to Muslims. The "extremists" threat the national interests of the US and the West. The Saudi government on the other hand, are those who safeguard the national interests of the US and the West. Hopeful, that's clear.